13th annual Clinch River Antiques Festival kickoff Oct. 11

Tuesday

Sep 17, 2013 at 5:59 PM

The ringing of school bells and the promise of cooler temperatures indicate fall is in the air as plans are made for the 13th annual Clinch River Antiques Festival, presented by the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce. The Festival takes place in Historic Downtown Clinton and the Festival kickoff begins on Friday, Oct. 11, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Hoskins/Lane Park, where the Chamber's Leadership Anderson County Class of 2014, will host live music. Market Street antique and specialty shops (100+ dealers) will open their doors along with restaurants and food vendors.

The ringing of school bells and the promise of cooler temperatures indicate fall is in the air as plans are made for the 13th annual Clinch River Antiques Festival, presented by the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce. The Festival takes place in Historic Downtown Clinton and the Festival kickoff begins on Friday, Oct. 11, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Hoskins/Lane Park, where the Chamber's Leadership Anderson County Class of 2014, will host live music. Market Street antique and specialty shops (100+ dealers) will open their doors along with restaurants and food vendors.

The Antique Street Festival takes place on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., when more than 80+ antique dealers and artisans from across the region line Market and Cullom Streets. In addition to local shopping, beautiful antique cars, antique tractors, live entertainment, food vendors, antique appraisers and the historical re-enactment of the Burr-Hamilton Duel on Market Street.

The Clinton Antique Mall, 317 N. Main Street, Clinton, will feature national professional antique appraisers Joe Rosson and Rick Crane on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Both will be appraising antiques simultaneously with charges of $5 per item. They do not appraise Oriental carpets, weapons and firearms and fine jewelry. Rosson is an antique consultant and appraiser with over 25 years of experience and is a co-host on the PBS television series “Treasures in Your Attic.” He has written an antique column in the Knoxville News Sentinel since 1992 and has written articles for “Country Living” and “Country Home” magazines. Crane, who founded Estate Sales by Rick Crane, is a nationally recognized consultant in antique glass as well as a specialist in porcelain, glassware, prints and miscellaneous items. Both Rosson and Crane have extensive backgrounds in evaluating estates, including the estates of President Andrew Johnson and author Alex Haley.

Again this year history can be found in more than just antiques; history will come to life through a re-enactment of the 1804 duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. Burr, first term Vice President under Thomas Jefferson, shot Hamilton, United States Secretary of the Treasury, in a duel fueled by years of animosity between the political rivals and personal enemies.

While a duel fought in New Jersey between two national leaders may seem to have little connection to Clinton, festival-goers will learn its' significance to Clinton's history as they watch the duel play out and learn how the town of Burrville became today's Clinton. The re-enactment is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

The Clinch River Antiques Festival has grown in its reputation among antique dealers and collectors, but it has become so much more than just a well-known antique show. The festival has become a time for the community to gather in celebration of Clinton's unique character, for old friends to mingle on the streets and welcome another fall to Anderson County.

This is an event you do not want to miss. Chamber President Jackie Nichols said, “The Anderson County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be a part of a festival that continues to grow beyond our expectations. We expect over 10,000 for this year's event.” Admission and parking are free.

The festival is presented by the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce and the City of Clinton and is sponsored by Regions Bank, Tennova Healthcare and Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. For additional information call the Chamber at (865) 457-2559 or visit www.clinchriverfallfestival.com.